Sunday, January 29, 2017

President Trump and the Alleged Rampant Voter Fraud That Cost Him the Popular Vote: The Orange King, possibly a direct lineal descendant of the Sun King, is certain that 3 or 4 million voted illegally for Hillary, relying on the work of someone called Greg Phillips who purports to have the names of 3 million people who voted illegally in the last election. Phillips was questioned by Andrew Cuomo about his findings. Possible source of Trump's mass voter fraud claim says proof is on the way - CNNPolitics.com I would recommend viewing that interview after putting your ideology in your pocket and viewing this cross examination as you would as a juror during trial. Is Phillips remotely credible? He is just a guy, who worked in the 1980s and 1990s in the Mississippi and Alabama republican parties who has an organization somewhere called VoteStand. Maybe that is an just an APP that can be downloaded by disgruntled white men who discover illegal voting by non-white people at elections. He has been making this claim, which Trump accepts as true, without providing anyone with proof. NBC has some of this tweets from Mr. Phillips: " No matter what Obama or anyone else says, the only entity that hacked election systems was Obama's Department of Homeland Security."

"The most tyrannical result of Obama's eight years was weaponization of Government against the people."Biased? True Believer? Wing-Nut? Birds of a feather flock together? I will answer that one. Yes they do. I can see why the Orange King finds him so appealing and trustworthy. I would also recommend reading the transcript of David Muir's interview with Trump. Here are two excerpts: Quotes From Interview:

"DAVID MUIR: Do you think that that talking about millions of illegal votes is dangerous to this country without presenting the evidence?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, not at all.

(OVERTALK)

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Not at all because many people feel the same way that I do. And ...

DAVID MUIR: You don't think it undermines your credibility if there’s no evidence?

(OVERTALK)

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, not at all because they didn't come to me. Believe me. Those were Hillary votes. And if you look at it they all voted for Hillary. They all voted for Hillary. They didn't vote for me. I don't believe I got one. Okay, these are people that voted for Hillary Clinton. And if they didn't vote, it would've been different in the popular." (emphasis added)

DAVID MUIR: What you have presented so far has been debunked. It's been called ...

(OVERTALK)

DAVID MUIR: ... false.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, it hasn't. Take a look at the Pew reports.

DAVID MUIR: I called the author of the Pew report last night. And he told me that they found no evidence of voter ...

(OVERTALK)

DAVID MUIR: ... fraud.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Really? Then why did he write the report?

DAVID MUIR: He said no evidence of voter fraud.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Excuse me, then why did he write the report?

(OVERTALK)

PRESIDENT TRUMP: According to Pew report, then he's -- then he's groveling again. You know, I always talk about the reporters that grovel when they wanna write something that you wanna hear but not necessarily millions of people wanna hear or have to hear."

Trump is certain that (1) three to five million votes were cast illegally; (2) everyone one of those votes went to Hillary; and (3) the author of the Pew report has changed his tune and is now groveling again.

By the way, among the people registered in two states are Steve Bannon (Trump's close advisor), Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner (Chief Guru), Trump's Press Secretary (the Alternate Fact Guy) and Trump's daughter Tiffany. Trump is certain that every single person who is registered in two states voted for Hillary. Proof is no longer necessary before a U.S. President makes that kind of statement. Perhaps his investigation into voting fraud needs to dig deep into whether or not his inner circle are sleeper agents of the vast Left-Wing Creeping Socialism Conspiracy by voting for Hillary.

What does this tell you about Trump? Does it suggest that he is even capable of exercising good judgment after gathering the facts or is he perpetually engaged in his own reality creations? Again, look at it as a juror performing their duty to reach the right verdict.

‘Up Is Down’; Black is White; Lies are True; True is False; Make America Great Again= NewspeakWho Is Gregg Phillips, the Man Trump Name-Checked to Prove Voter Fraud? - NBC NewsFact-check: Did 3 million undocumented immigrants vote in this year's election? | PunditFactThe Houston Chronicle has an interesting story about Mr. Phillips, Trump's voting fraud source, that was published in 2005.I have # hired thousands of researchers to look into Trump's claim that it won the popular vote. After an exhaustive study and having access to a huge database containing all pertinent records, my researchers first found that Trump actually won California by 5 million votes before even considering the 1.5 million votes cast by non-citizens (or "people who are not angry white people") for Hillary (and we know those votes were all cast for Hillary by examining each and every secret ballot available on the internet). We have pictures of non -white election officials with purple hair and rings in their noses dumping Trump votes into the Pacific Ocean which accounts for the disparity in the vote count. In due time, we will provide the press with all of evidence as soon as it is ready for public dissemination. We have to check all of our facts and figures first before providing the evidence on this matter. (# Alternate Facts)And now we have Jeff Sessions, who has already reached the same conclusion as Trump without any evidence (remember-no longer required), leading an inquiry into voter fraud demanded by Trump because he lost the popular vote and he will not accept it. 2016 National Popular Vote Tracker (Final) We can all rest assured that Jeff Sessions has our back and will go that extra mile to protect and defend civil and constitutional rights.Can't we? There is certainly reason for True Conservatives, the antithesis of the Modern Day GOP, to be concerned that this "investigation" is merely a pretext for GOP controlled states to pass more restrictive voter laws in order to suppress non-whites from voting. When Trump and other GOP tribe members identify where this massive voting fraud occurs, needless to say they omit any reference to white rural America, overwhelmingly filled with the 62.979+M Trump voters, but refer only to geographic areas where there are high concentrations of non-white voters. What is this really about? I just call balls and strikes as I see them and others can draw their own conclusions. IMO, the evidence supports only one conclusion. For a long time now, the GOP has been engaged in a transparent attempt to undermine and discredit institutions essential for the proper functioning of a Democracy in order to acquire and maintain political power. Trump has simply increased those efforts in a more transparent and obvious way. Undermine the truth=Undermine Democracy. That should be Trump's slogan rather than Make America Great Again. Almost 63M adults voted for Trump and they knew exactly what kind of man they were putting in the Oval Office. Trump never tried to obfuscate who he was, like so many other politicians, and he is doing now and will continue to do what most, if not all of those 63M voters wanted him to do.

++++The Party of Individual Liberty Stands Firm on Religious Freedom- Yes of Course We Love IT*(*Except for Muslims, other Non-White Religions or whatever angry and fearful white middle age men do not like)The Tennessee GOP tribe members were up in arms a few years back when the Republican Governor Haslam hired for God's Sake One of Those Muslims trying to bring Sharia Law to Tennessee. Now don't get on me for that sentence. I am only a messenger here. Yes, that republican traitor hired a young lady by the name of Samar Ali, who was born in the middle of nowhere Waverly, TN and graduated with honors from Vanderbilt and its law school, as the international director in Tennessee's Economic Development Department.Samar Ali ’06 (BS’03) | News | Law School | Vanderbilt UniversityMs. Ali is now an attorney with the blue blood and white shoe Nashville law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims and had worked as a White House Fellow to assist in the fight against ISIS.Republicans were certain that Ali and the Governor were trying to bring the Tennessee Economic Development Department into compliance with Sharia law, arguing that this young lady was an "agent of financial jihadists" She was in deep cover to be sure and where better to hide her than in Waverly. Anti-muslim website says Bill Haslam promotes the interests of radical Islamists | PolitiFact Tennessee; Tennessee Tea Partiers To GOP Gov: Stop Employing Muslims and Gays; The following linked article, published in the Nashville Scene, which quotes statements made by GOP tribe members, is instructive on their "thought" process: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Shari ... Look Out It's Behind You!The republicans in my county even passed this resolution:"Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has elevated and/or afford [sic] preferential political status to Sharia adherents in Tennessee, thereby aiding and abetting the advancement of an ideology and doctrine which is wholly incompatible with the Constitution of the United States and the Tennessee Constitution,"I am not making this up. Perhaps they need a grade school student to write their resolutions from now on. Being someone of a stickler for what the Constitution actually says, I would have to say that the Williamson County GOP resolution is wholly incompatible with the Constitution of the United States and the the Tennessee Constitution. (important to remain anonymous where I live) {Proof and facts do not matter. An accusation or allegation is the same as a fact. Just a more modern and less slick version of McCarthyism, named for Senator Joseph McCarthy (R).} To make matters far worse, the Governor had also hired one of Them Homosexuals too.To make matters worse than worse, and how could any republican do this (unless he was a communist, Jihadist or even worse, a Democrat), Haslam vetoed a bill passed by the GOP controlled legislature that would have made the Bible the official book of Tennessee. The GOP representatives came so very close to overriding that traitor's veto, making Tennessee the first state to pass such a law. Bid to override Haslam veto of Bible as Tennessee book fails | Fox NewsThe Supreme Court will soon get straightened out good and for a long time on this First Amendment separation of church and state nonsense. Soon enough, children in our schools will be bobbing their heads up and down reciting the bible, though there will still be a class on creationism and field trips to the Creation Museum where children can see Adam and Eve walking with the dinosaurs. A. A. Gill on Kentucky's Creation Museum | Vanity Fair; Creation Museum - Religion - The New York TimesTrump fits right into this mind set. And, I am not referring to the mind set of Tennessee's Governor.Immigration EO and the Vetting Process: Try Waterboarding Immigrants?

"(e) Notwithstanding the temporary suspension imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit individuals to the United States as refugees on a case-by-case basis, in their discretion, but only so long as they determine that the admission of such individuals as refugees is in the national interest -- including when the person is a religious minority in his country of nationality facing religious persecution, when admitting the person would enable the United States to conform its conduct to a preexisting international agreement, or when the person is already in transit and denying admission would cause undue hardship -- and it would not pose a risk to the security or welfare of the United States."Question: Are Christians a religious minority in Muslim nations? Donald swears up and down this is not a Muslim ban. Trump defends order: 'It's not a Muslim ban' | TheHillRudy Giuliani says Trump tasked him to craft 'Muslim ban' - NY Daily News

So let's just shut the press down. Everyone had enough already? It's the only alternative left to salvage our freedoms. Did I say that right. Yes, that looks about right. Might as well shut down the courts infested with liberal lice as well starting with the judge who stayed Steve Bannon's EO. I meant to say Donald's EO. Was he a Mexican? That Press Secretary, what's his name, can tell us all we need to know from now on. Isn't he a trustworthy guy? Freedom from being a responsible and informed citizen will be so refreshing for everyone. I am already feeling better. What a load has been lifted off my shoulders. More examples, if more are needed, supporting a law requiring journalists to keep their mouths shut. We can dispense with Congress passing a law. Steve Bannon can write it for us, save time and money.

Common Stock Quote Enterprise Financial Services (EFSC)(holding company)Enterprise SEC FilingsEnterprise sold a 4.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated note a few weeks ago. The fixed coupon rate lasts until 11/1/2021. Enterprise may call on or after that date. Unless redeemed early at the issuer's option, the notes mature on 11/1/2026. The floating rate which starts on 11/1/21 is 338.7 basis points (3.387%) above the 3 month Libor rate. Bond Detail It is standard for a U.S. issuer to have the option to redeem when the security transitions from a fixed coupon to a floating rate and thereafter at its option.

I do not expect an increase in the federal funds rate at the October 31st meeting, but do anticipate one in December 2017 and another in July 2017 or earlier.

FINRA does not show the S & P rating for Statoil's senior unsecured debt. The preceding snapshot shows that S & P has assigned a A+ rating with Moody's at Aa3. The snapshot shows a 1.156% current yield and a 1.573% YTM. There is not much of a spread between my total cost and par value, but there is also not that much time until par value is paid. YTM takes both into account. I am building up a maturity cluster in the May-July 2018 time frame. So far, I have the following short term bonds and CDs maturing in that time frame. SU= Senior Unsecured2 Northeast Utilities 1.45% SU 5/1/181 Citigroup 1.75% SU 5/1/182 Apple 1% SU 5/3/181 Enterprise Products 1.65% SU 5/7/182 Corning 1.5% SU 5/8/182 J.P. Morgan 1.625% SU 5/8/181 Statoil 1.15% SU 5/15/181 U.S. Treasury 1% 5/15/181 Wisconsin Electric 1.7% SU 5/15/18 2 Qualcomm 1.4% SU 5/18/18 1 Paccar 1.4% SU 5/18/182 Merck 1/3% SU 5/18/182 American Express 1.55% SU 5/18/181 Treasury Note 5/31/18 .875% 5/31/181 Southern Company 1.5% SU 6/1/18 2 Pfizer 1.2% SU 6/1/181 Southern Company 1.55% SU 7/1/18 1 Kraft Heinz Foods 2% SU 7/2/182 Capital One CDs 1.4% 7/11/181 U. S. Treasury .875% 7/15/18Principal Amount = $29KI will add some fillers to that list in both June and July but not in May.

2: Securities That Pay the Greater of a Fixed Coupon or a Spread Above the 3 Month Libor:This type of security provides a measure of low inflation/deflation and problematic inflation in the same security. The security addresses the problematic inflation scenario through the 3 month Libor float provision. The low inflation/deflation scenario is addressed through the minimum coupon.It is the type of security that I will buy opportunistically and trade. I started to buy this type of security in 2008. None of the ones that I have owned have increased their coupons above the minimum rate due to the low Libor rates. That may be about to change.A. Bought Back 50 PYT at $19.78 Using a Commission Free Trade

This CEF has a managed minimum distribution policy that results in "quarterly distributions at an annual rate of 7% of the average of the prior four quarter-end net asset values." Distributions and Dividends - The Royce Funds Most of those dividends will be sourced from capital gains distributions. In the past, when unrealized gains evaporate as was the case during the Near Depression period, the Board will suspend the managed distribution policy rather than source dividends out of capital ("ROC" = Return of Capital), which is the right thing to do IMO. Data Date of Trade:Closing Net Asset Value Per Share: $16.36Net Asset Value Per Share: $13.86Discount: -15.28%CEF ConnectSemi-Annual Report Period Ending 6/30/16Sponsor's Website: Royce Value Trust (RVT)Royce Value Trust (RVT) Total ReturnsI periodically buy and then eliminate this CEF.The last elimination occurred in 2013:

2014 RVT 505+ Shares +$436.03

I made a mistake in buying a 100 share lot in 2007 and discussed my flawed rationale here: Stocks, Bonds & Politics: Buy High & Sell Low /Retrospective on the Good & Bad (October 18, 2008 Post)I re-initiated a position thereafter and started to pare that position in 2016. I have had better luck with the Royce Micro Cap Fund (RMT) over the years. B. Eliminated Remaining IDE Shares: Sold 100 at $13.85:

Quote: Hanover Insurance Group Inc. 6.35% Subordinated Debenture due 2053 (THGA)The word "subordinated" means lower in the capital structure than senior unsecured debt. In other words, subordinated in this context means a junior bond that is superior in the capital structure only to common stock and equity preferred stock. THGA will make quarterly interest payments at the fixed coupon rate of 6.35% on a $25 par value. This security may be redeemed by the issuer on or after 3/30/18. Hanover may defer interest payments for up to 5 years. However, during any such deferral, Hanover can not make cash dividend payments on its junior securities. The stopper clause can be found starting at page S-15. PROSPECTUSThe remaining 16 THGA shares in this account were bought at $24.32 in a partial fill of a 50 share limit order. I will not be selling those shares anytime soon. Instead, I will simply wait for a better price, preferably below $22, to buy back the 50 shares sold at $25.36. I sold the lot that was discussed here: 4. Bought Back 50 THGA at $24.98-Update For Exchange Traded Bonds And Preferred Stock Basket Strategy As Of 1/22/16 - South Gent | Seeking AlphaI currently own 116 shares (16 left in the IB taxable account/50 in Roth IRA/50 Schwab Taxable bought with commission free trade).Of those 116 remaining shares, I own 50 in a ROTH IRA where this 6.35% coupon bond becomes tax free.

I am more likely to buy back the 50 shares in this account. I am not currently concerned about the issuer's credit risk. However, a pop over $25.5 and one more interest payment would likely cause this 50 share lot to disappear from the account. THGA was another ETB that was bought during the 2013 interest rate spike and quickly sold when rates started to decline in 2014. Sold THGA: 50 Shares at $23.46-Roth IRA and 50 Shares Taxable Account at $23.67 (5/17/14 Post) (profit snapshots=$143.84 plus interest payments)-Item # 3 Roth IRA: Bought 50 THGA at $21.58 (11/6/13 Post)Hanover Insurance SEC FilingsCommon Stock Quote: Hanover Insurance Group (THG)THG Analyst EstimatesDisclaimer:I am not a financial advisor but simply an individual investor who has been managing my own money since I was a teenager. In this post, I am acting solely as a financial journalist focusing on my own investments. The information contained in this post is not intended to be a complete description or summary of all available data relevant to making an investment decision. Instead, I am merely expressing some of the reasons underlying the purchase or sell of securities. Nothing in this post is intended to constitute investment or legal advice or a recommendation to buy or to sell. All investors need to perform their own due diligence before making any financial decision which requires at a minimum reading original source material available at the SEC and elsewhere.A failure to perform due diligence only increases what I call "error creep". Stocks, Bonds & Politics: ERROR CREEP and the INVESTING PROCESSEach investor needs to assess a potential investment taking into account their personal risk tolerances, goals and situational risks. I can only make that kind of assessment for myself and family members

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About Me

I am no longer in a capital accumulation phase. My key investment objectives are capital preservation and income generation.
I started to buy stocks in the late 1960s.
I have a balanced worldwide portfolio with a considerable allocation to cash. Starting in December 2016, I started to reallocate out of cash and into high quality short and intermediate term bonds and FDIC insured CDs using a ladder strategy.
I have been paring my stock allocation, selling gradually into the robust stock market rally occurring since the U.S. election.
In this blog, I will be discussing only a sample of my recent stock trades. I will be discussing almost all of my bond and CD trades.

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Disclaimer

I am not a financial advisor but simply an individual investor who has been managing my own money since I was a teenager. In this blog, I am acting solely as a financial journalist focusing on my own investments. The information contained in this blog is not intended to be a complete description or summary of all available data relevant to making an investment decision. Instead, I am merely expressing some of the reasons underlying the purchase or sell of securities. Nothing in this blog is intended to constitute investment or legal advice or a recommendation to buy or to sell. All investors need to perform their own due diligence before making any financial decision which requires at a minimum reading original source material available at the SEC and elsewhere. For purchases of bonds and preferred stocks, the prospectuses need to be reviewed until fully understood by the investor.